World
drawing and painting contest for
children aged 4 to 7 yearsJanuary - June 2002

Presentation

Teachers
and educators are invited to participate in the worldwide
drawing and painting contest "Draw the way to Peace" for children
aged 4 to 7 years.Initiated by two artist-painters, Hayat
Aoudjhane and Gérald Quinsat, this project has received
support from the Aschberg Fund and UNESCO, and is undertaken
within the framework of the International Decade for a
Culture of Peace and Non Violence for the Children of the
World (2001-2010). The objective of this contest is to
promote a culture of peace by raising awareness among young
children about this concept, but also through listening to
their vision and spontaneous suggestions on self-respect and
respect for others, sharing, tolerance, war and peace, reconciliation…
Teachers and educators participating in the contest will help
children invent a story in pictures, in the form of a tale
using animals, natural elements, nature, colours, and their
own symbols. This story will be a collective work based on
key words young children can understand. It will be made up
of six drawings, each illustrating one or several of the following
themes:

Respect
for all life - respect the rights and dignity of each
human being;

Sharing
- develop attitudes and skills for living together in
harmony, ending exclusion and oppression;

Listening
to understand -give everyone a chance to learn
and share through the free flow of information and ideas;

Preserving
the planet -make sure that progress and development
are good for everyone and for the environment;

Tolerance
and solidarity - appreciate that people are different
and that everyone has something to contribute to the community.

The
drawings, with some explanations, will form a story presented
as a comic strip, a fresco or a poster, depending on the
choice of the participants. Registration and participation
in the contest will take place simultaneously betweenJanuary and June 2002.The artworks will be scanned and
put online on the UNESCO "early
childhood and family" portal. They will be used
later in publications, exhibitions, or as promotional support
material for UNESCO action in favour of early childhood.In
September 2002, a jury presided by H.R.H. the Grand Duchess
Maria Teresaof
Luxembourg (UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador), comprised of young
children and well know persons in fields of arts, humanitarian
aid and education will choose two winners per age group
(4-5 year olds and 6-7 year olds). The winners will receive
a prize best suited to their needs, from four types of prizes:
multimedia ; library / medialibrary ; equipement
and school supplies ; vehicles. This contest will provide
the opportunity to build a network of teachers, educators
and children working in favour of building and promoting
a culture of peace and non-violence.

"Tomorrow's
world is already taking shape in the body and spirit of
our children."
(Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize)